World's Shortest in Sports

Measuring Height is one of the standard fitness tests in sports. Being tall is usually advantageous for sports, though in some sports like diving, gymnastics and for jockeys short stature is advantageous. In the lists below, there are some short people being successful in sports which require height despite their short stature.

See also a discussion and examples of the World's tallest and shortest people. This information about the shortest sports people of the world may change, as the current crop of players change and people grow.

Short Sports People

Here are some examples of short people in the world of sport. Despite their size, many have been very successful in their sport.

Sport

Height

Height

Name

Notes

American Football

168 cm

5 ft, 6 in

Darren Sproles

Shortest active player in the NFL

Baseball

109 cm

Eddie Gaedel

Shortest person to play in Major League Baseball. This however was a publicity stunt and Gaedel only stood at the plate once. 1925–1961

Basketball

160 cm

5 ft, 3 in

Muggsy Bogues

Shortest to play in the NBA

Basketball

165 cm

5 ft, 5 in

Earl Boykins

Shortest active player currently in NBA - the second shortest player in NBA history.

Basketball

157 cm

Shannon Bobbitt

Shortest to play in the Women's National Basketball Association.

Bodybuilding

84 cm

2ft. 9in

Romeo Dev

"World's Smallest Bodybuilder". Born 1988.

Football (Soccer)

157 cm

Frederick Walden

Shortest man ever to play for the England national football team. 1888–1949